Through the meal, the chairman discusses and clearly seems to know more about the member who disappeared. One member says ” chairman, you should have shared this information with us” Then breaks into Luhya as though to lovingly reprimand the chair for not coming clean earlier. I lose the rest of the conversation, but the lessons are clear for me.

The secretary then calls for the next agenda 

Perhaps one trivial detail as People eat together is that they all have spoons but use their hands to eat… interesting twist. I wonder if it’s deliberate, but I also suppose it is an element of culture and the type of food that is on the table.

I catch the disappearance conversation again as the chair discusses the law with regard to people who disappear after 7 years , and that the law terms them “dead”.  I suppose this is with regard to the guy under discussion. 

Barely 10 minutes after we have all finished our meals,  there’s even more food: nuts, soda, fruit brought on the table. This is a team that celebrates togetherness over meal, and being of service to each other.

The latter meal is served at will. We get back to business.Contributions for food are made and we get into a “welfare section.”

I am pleasantly surprised to learn that welfare entails informing the team how one is, in detail. What challenges one is facing, how the family is getting on. As people discuss their welfare, money changes hands. I guess some of it is towards their monthly contributions but there seems to have also been some ‘brotherly’ borrowing and refunding. This must be “out of court settlements.”

The secretary notes down each member’s welfare. It will be part of the minutes for the next meeting. There are discussions on children, Health ( blood pressure, memory lapses etc), graduation, parents health, etc. All of this is in mixed Luhya English and Kiswahili.

Some members are taken to task over inconsistent reports on their welfare and a lack of detail. For them, the term welfare means well being.  The chair reminds them to listen each other’s welfare as side discussions abound.

A member reports about the death of his 3 uncles in one Month. 

Welfare discussions are intermittently interrupted by discussions on politics, food shortage in the country etc. Members keep each other accountable and seek to know if an issue that was discussed last time had been resolved. 

A member reminds them randomly that an important item was not minuted – on investments. They digress from welfare and discuss this a bit, but agree to pick it up the discussion in the coming meetings.

There are many little side discussions. At 5:07 I am tickled again by someone who talks about the need to keep time. one of the very late comers. Nobody comments, but they have heard.

As the chair talks about his welfare, he takes the opportunity to remind them in Kiswahili that they need to care about each other, keep the contributions consistent and look out for each other. He also takes time to update members about absent members’ welfare, some of whom he seems to have kept in touch with. 

Finally, The secretary asks each member for a AOB. Some issues discussed here are deeply personal. A member lets the group know that she may need money from the group on a pending legal issue. The members seem aware of the issues already and offer their prayers and support.

I notice members tend to meet between meetings to carry on with Chama business based on some reports that are given.

The Chair then reminds them of me their guest, and they made me speak. I told them of the lessons I had learnt and how privileged I felt being in their midst. A member randomly offers to lead in a stylish clap for their guests. I blush and sheepishly smile at this honour. 

Meeting ended at 1733 again with a word of prayer and singing. 

It was 1743 when we left the house .

Another successful chama meeting. Another organisation that is deeply aware of itself. What beautiful people working their way to make meanings in life. Meanings which would not exist if they were not together. And they are making these meanings through communication. Incredible.